0

This is more of a design question than a technical one. I am developing a Windows application with a menu bar and toolbar. I have menu items for the File, Tools, and Help menus, but I have a few other menu items that are important to the application (Search, for one) that don't seem to fit. I think it is bad practice to just put Search as a menu item by itself, as shown:

File | Search | Tools | Help

Because every other menu is NOT clickable, and opens a drop down with more menu choices, and the Search would be clickable, and launch the Search. Originally, I had several Search choices, but the design has changed to now have a single Search option. Any suggestions for another top-level name, or other ideas on how to resolve this?

Improve this question
1
  • I suggest you take a look at Notepad for some ideas. Normally, menus don't have only one option, but there really isn't a reason for them not to. Alternatively, just put it in the Tools menu, because it is a tool after all.
    – user69458
    Commented Oct 22, 2015 at 23:36

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
2

The menu should be for menus, not clickable buttons.

The normal way to highlight search is to have a search box (which could be on the right of the menu bar, or in the toolbar).

You could, additionally, put it into one of the other menus for completeness (File -> Search and Tools -> Search both potentially make sense).

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.